Spindle structure



Aug. 3,. 1937. R. KOWALSKY SPINDLE STRUCTURE Filed 061'.. 25, 1933 2Sheets-Sheet 1 y ff@ ug. 3, 1937. R. A. KowALsKY SPINDLE STRUCTURE 2Sheets-Shea '2 Filed Oct. 25, 1933 Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNITED STATESPATENT oFFiE i SPINDLE STRUCTURE Rudolph A. Kowalsky, Woonsocket, R. I.Application October 25, 1933, SerialNo. 695,131

4 Claims.

`The present invention relates to a spindle structure of the typeadapted for use in connection withtextile machines,` and moreparticularly to a spindle structure of the character provided with 'i' acasing containing a spindle and having an oil 105' in the use of spindlestructures of this character in that the rapid `rotation of the spindlewithin the bolster sets up strong currents in the oil which tend to drawthe oil upwardly around the spindle more rapidly than it can be returnedinto the 15|`-spaoe Within the casing where the bolster is located. Noadequate means has been devised heretofore for preventingexcessiveupward movement of the oil throughout `the length of that portion of thespindle located within the casing 0Land no means has been found forreturning this oil tothe casing `with suficient rapidity to pre- .ventoil from being carried over the upper end 0f the casing and sprayed overthe machine frame, oor and textile material.

as Well as in causing the spindle to run dry unless theoil is renewedfrequently. r

the rotation of the spindle at all times and under substantially allconditions of use.

AnotherA object ofthe invention is to provide gcgmeans fon-permitting arestricted supply of oil only to the spindle .bearing whereby the amountforcedupwardly by the rotation of the spindle is limited to such anextent as to prevent the dis-V charge `of excessive quantities of oilover the to upperoenlarged portion of the bolster arranged 45..'tocommunicate with the reservoir portion of the casing and thus `permitpassage of the oil drawn upwardly by rotation of the spindle Within thebolster back into the enlarged reservoir area.`

50V. Other objects and advantages of the invention relate to variousimproved details of construction and novelarrangements of the parts aswill be more fully set forth in the detailed description to follow. y

'Ihis results.` genot only in a considerable waste of oil but alsoindamaging the textile material and in. soaking `One. object of thepresent invention is to overaV comezthe discharge of oil from the casingthrough Ain Xed relation with the lower end of the Fig. 1 is a verticalsectional view through the spindle casing and oil supply spout showingthe bolster and a portion of the spindle in side elevation, i

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken at right angles to thesectional view shown in Fig. l, and showing the casing, bolster memberand whirl in section and the spindle in elevation,

` Fig. 3 is a `vertical sectional View, similar to Fig. 1,l and showingthe casing, oil spout bolster member` and Whirl all in section with thespindle in elevation, i

Fig. 4 is a transverse enlarged sectional View taken substantially alongthe line i-ll oi' Fig. l,

Fig. 5 is a transverse enlarged sectional `view taken substantiallyalong the line 5 5 of Fig. l,

Fig. 6 is a transverse enlarged sectional View taken substantiallyalongthe line` 5-5 of Fig. 1,`

Fig. 7 is a transverse enlarged sectional view taken Fig. taken Fig.taken Fis.

8 is a transverse enlarged sectional` View substantiallyalong the line 38 of Fig. 1, 9 is a transverse enlarged sectional Viewsubstantiallyalong the line 9-9 of Fig. 1, l0 is a transverse enlargedsectional view taken substantiallyalong the line lillll of Fig. l,

Fig. 11 `isa detailed perspective View of the lower end portion of thebolster, and,

Fig. l2 is a perspective view of the spring clip employed formaintaining the adjustable bearing bolster member.

In that form of the invention-shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, Ildesignates a spindle casingprovided with a head-flange 2 and adepending tubular body portion 3 which is adapted to be inserted in anopening in a spindle rail and clamped thereto by a nut li, which isthreaded on the depending tubular body portion after a man-` nerWell-known in the art. rlhe spindle casing l is provided with a centralbore 5 which is adapted n to receive a bolster 6 having a central bore'i for receiving the lower end portion 8 of a spindle 9. The spindle 9isprovided with a whirl I as is usual in devices of this character. Anoil supply spout l2 may be formed integral with the casing l and isprovided with a hinged Vcover I4 which may be in the form of a pivoteddetent for Vlocking the spindle against accidental removal from thecasing: The oil supply spout I2, as shown, is provided with a vertical`oil passage l5 and a horizontal passage I6 connecting with each other,and the passage I6 communicates with the bore 5 of the casing fortransmitting lubricant thereto.V The bore 5 of the casing may be ofsubstantially substantially along the line 'l-'l of Fig. l, c

uniform cross-section throughout the major portion of its extent but, asshown, is enlarged as :indicated at I1, from a point indicatedapproximately by the reference character I8 to a point adjacent to orslightly below the point of entry of the horizontal oil passage I6 intothe casing, as indicated at I9.

The bolster 6 is provided with a central bore 1, as stated, to furnish abearing for the lower end portion 3 of the spindle, and the bore 1 maybe inwardly tapered below the point 20 to substantially fit an externaltaper on the lower end portion 8 of the spindle 9.

The bolster 6 is provided, adjacent to the uppery end thereof with anenlarged external portion 22 which ts closely within the bore of thecasing and has one or more longitudinal grooves 23 formed upon theexternal face thereof to permit the flow of oil downwardly past theenlarged portion 22. A spline and groove connection 24 may also beemployed between the external face of the enlarged portion 22 of thebolster and the inner face of the casing wall located adjacent theretoto lock the bolster against rotationrelative to the casing.

Immediately below the enlarged portion 22 of the bolster, and beginningat substantially the point indicated by thereference character I8 onFig. 1 of the drawings, the external diameter of the bolster member isreduced, as indicated at 26, extending downwardly to a pointsubstantially coincident with the lower portion of the enlarged recessI1 formed in the bore of the casing. The reduced external diameter ofthe bolster 26 and the enlarged recess I1 formed in the bore of thecasing are thus substantially co-extensive longitudinally of the bolsterand serve to .form an oil reservoir 21 extending substantially from theenlarged portion 22 of the bolster to a point which may be slightlybelow or substantially coincident with the lower edge of the inletpassage I6, whereby unrestricted circulation of the oil may existbetween the oil reservoir 21 and the vertical portion I5 of the oilinlet passage. The horizontal or transverse cross-sectional area of theoil reservoir 21 is preferably substantially equal to or greater thanthe horizontal or transverse cross-sectional area of the vertical oilsupply passage I5 whereby thetotal volume of the oil in the oilreservoir, when maintained, for instance, at the level indicated by 30,will be equal to or in excess of the volume of the oil in the passageI5, when maintained at the corresponding level indicated by 3|. v

Although I have shown and described the oil reservoir as being formed inthe present case by reducing the outer surface of the bolster andforming a corresponding cooperating recess in the inner wall of thecasing, because of the limits of tolerance imposed in the usual bolsterand casing construction, it is to be understood that the inventioncontemplates the formation of the oil reservoir 21 either entirely wtlLnthe outer surface of the bolster or entirely within the inner wall ofthe casing in constructions where the size and proportion of the partspermit.

The bolster 6 is provided with a second enlarged portion 33 which may belocated immediately belowr the space forming the oil reservoir 21, andpreferablyilush with or slightly below the lower edge of the horizontaloil passage I6. This enlarged portion is adapted to fit closely withinthe bore 1 of the casing and may be provided with one or more verticalgrooves 34 to permit oil to pass downwardly from the reservoir 21-pastthe enlarged portion 33. Immediately below the enlarged portion 33 ofthe bolster, the opposite side walls of the bolster may be cut away, asindicated at 35, to provide oppositely positioned longitudinal openings36 in the bolster wall communicating with the bore 5 of the casingoutwardly of the bolster and the lower end portion 8 of the spindle. Theformation of these openings on opposite sides of the spindle reduce thebolster at that point to a pair of oppositely positioned longitudinalbearings 31, which are each concavo-convex in transverse cross-section.

Immediately below the oppositely positioned `'openings 3E, the bolster 6may be provided with an enlarged portion 39 which is adapted to tclosely within the bore 5 of the spindle casing. Below the enlargedportion 33 those side walls of the bolster angularly positioned withreference to those previously mentioned are cut away as indicated at 42,to provide oppositely positioned openings M in the bolster wallcommunicating with the bore 5 of the casing outwardly of the bolster anda portion of the spindle 8. The openings 4I formed in the bolster wallmay be located at substantially right angles to the openings 36previously described, and with the openings 36 they serve to provide aplurality of radial openings extending through the bolster wall and overa substantial portion of the circumference of the spindle in such amanner as to tend to break up swirl currents generated by the rapidrotation of the spindle in the bolster. The cutting away of the bolster,as indicated at Ml, provides a pair of oppositely positionedlongitudinal bearings 42 inthe bolster which are each substantiallyconcavo-convex in transverse cross-sectionA and which may be located atsubstantially right angles to the opposed bearings 31 previouslydescribed.

The circumferential enlarged portions or shoulders 22, 33 and 39 inconjunction with the intermediate reduced portions serve to provide oilchambers more or less isolated from each other for retainingconsiderable quantities of oil in a state of substantial rest.

That portion of the bolster 6 immediately below the vertical bearingportions 42 may be of a somewhat reduced external diameter, as indicatedat 45, and terminates in an enlarged portion 46 which may fit closelywithin the bore 5 in the casing. The enlarged portion 46 of the bolsteris provided upon its outer face with a circular groove 41 and a straightlongitudinal groove 48 which intersect to form angularly extendingsurface grooves for the reception of a resilient locking member 59having curved arms 5I adapted to t within the circular groove 41 and asubstantially straight arm 52 adapted to t within the groove 48. Thestraight arm 52 is extended to form an end portion 53 projectingdownwardly below the lower end 54 of the bolster proper. The enlargedportion 46 of the bolster is internally threaded, as indicated at 55,and an adjustable bearing member 56 is provided with a reducedexternally threaded portion 51 adapted to be threaded within theinternally threaded portion 55 of the bolster. The adjustable bearingmember 56 has a further reduced portion 58 extending beyond the threadedportion 51 and adapted to project upwardly within the bore 1 of thebolster to serve as an adjustable support for the lower end of thespindle 8. The adjustable bearing member 56 is also provided with anenlarged portion 5S having a plurality of longitudinal grooves 60 formedtherein, each adapted to receive the lower end portion 53 of the re-`silient locking member u for maintaining the adjustable bearing memberin `any one of: a

plurality of adjusted positions relative to the bolster 6 to support thetapered end portion icl 8 of the spindle'in proper relationwith'theinner wall of the bolster member.

In that form of the invention shown in Fig. 3

of the drawings, the casing and bolster member are similar in allrespects to those previously shown and described, except that thespindle line is of ,a slightly diiierent typefrequiringa casing of lesslength than those previously shown, and the spindle line is of asubstantiallyuniform diameter throughout its central longitudinal porltion to the point indicated by G from which point it has a tapereddownwardly extending por- `tion 6l, of slightly greater taper than inthe case of the forms previously shown. In each case the bore l of thebolster is shaped to correspond substantially with the taper of thelower end portion of the spindle.

In each form of the invention shown herein, the

bolster member 6 may be provided with corre--y 2,spondingly positionedenlarged portions Z2, 33,

39 and it located substantially after the manner indicated, and each ofa diameter to fit sub# stantially within the bore 5 of the casing l.These enlarged portions serve to hold the bolster against vibration orradial movement within the casing and also serve to strengthen thebolster at suit able intervals to provide against breakage. A`

key and slot connection 2li, as shown, or other suitable means, may beprovided in each case for holding the bolster (i against rotationrelative to the casing.

The invention in 'each case is illustrated 1n connection with and isparticularly adapted for use with a spindle casing of the type providedwith an oil spout l2, or an equivalent, which is usually formed integralwith the casing, and

which is also provided with connecting oil passages, comprising avertical oil passage l5 and a horizontal oil passage i6, identifiedasfsuch in the normal position of the casing and with the horizontal oilpassage in open communication with the vertical oil passage and theinterior of the casing l. l

The objectionable discharge of oil from spindle bearings is generallyattributed'largely to currents set up by the rapid rot-ation of thespindle,

which, through its rotation, causes swirl currents in the oil and has atendency to' draw or force the oil upwardly between the spindle andbolster to such a degree that it rises to a high level in the `andcontinued rotation of the spindle causes it to be thrown outwardly andsprayed over the floor,

l fabric and adjacent parts of the machinery.

and l l, the openings 36 being located in staggered relation withrespect to the corresponding open` ings` il `circumferentially of thespindle.

portion of the entire circumference of the-spindle,

tends to break up the swirl currents at a'pointl below the enlargedportion 33 Aof the bolster.

By providing enlarged portions such as 22 and 33 having small grooves 23and Sfrespectively" formed in the outer faces thereof the free flowA ofoil from the inlet passage and reservoir to the spindle bearing may berestricted to suchan extent as to prevent the drawing of oilAupwardlyabout the spindle in quantities suiiicient to cause a considerabledischargeloi oilfover the top ofthe casing.

ber 56 serves to compensate for any wear upon the spindle end or bolsterbearing.;andallowsal ready adjustment of the spindle to secure thedesired clearance between the tapered end of the spindle and the bore ithe spindle. y y

The longitudinal grooves 23 formed in the outer surface of the enlargedportion 22 of the bolster" member serves to permit any oil which mayflow over the top of the bolsterrrember to pass downwardly into thereservoir 2l', the oil level in the reservoir being kept suiciently lowby the means previously described to accommodate this overow oil.Similarly the longitudinal grooves 34 formed in the enlarged portion 33of theV bolster permit a limited now of oil past the en-` larged portion33, for the purpose of securing adequate lubrication, without allowingj`unre-f strictedV transmission of the 'swirl currents or their effectuponthe oil content past that point.'`

`What I claim is:-

1. In an l independently lubricated" verticalV spindle, the bolster maybe cut away uponopposite sides, preferably at spaced intervals# as indiecated at 35 and lill, to form opposed openingslix` The i provision ofthese openings in the bolster-wall,` which `may extend throughout aconsiderable for the proper operation of The provision of the adjustablebearing mem` aci2 spindle bearing, a casing having a lbore and prolvided with an oil spout having `.a verticalfinlet passage located inopposed relation to land com-'5 municating with the bore, a bolstermember positioned within the casing having a central opening forming aspindle bearing and provided with enlarged circular shoulders ttingclosely within vfrom said reservoir and the space within the casing boreoutwardly of the bolster member and below said reservoir, said bolstermember being provided below said circular shoulders and said oilreservoir with openings for permitting a restricted flow of oil betweenthe central opening of said bolster member and the part of the casingoutwardly of said bolster member and below said oil reservoir, the partsbeing so proportioned as to restrict the flow of oil downwardly fromsaid reservoir to such an extent that the amount of oil carried upwardlyabout the spindle within the bore of `thebolster is limited to such adegree as to prevent .accumulation of `oil within the casing above. theuppermost circular shoulder in quantity sufficient to overflow thecasing.

2. In an independently lubricated vertical spindle bearing, a casinghaving a bore, a bolster member positioned within the casing providedwith a bore serving as va bearing for a spindle and having enlargedcasing engaging portions spaced from each other longitudinally of thebolster member to provide an oil reservoir within the casing ofsubstantial cross-sectional area out- Wardly of the `bolster member andout of direct communication with the bore of the bolster member, avertical oil inlet member having a passage communicating with said oilreservoir adjacent to the lowermost part thereof, said lowermostenlarged casing engaging portion being shaped to restrict the free ow ofoil from said reservoir downwardly of said bolster member while providedwith means permitting a gradual and limited flow of cil from saidreservoir whereby the flow of oil from said reservoir for application tothe spindle bearing is reduced to an amount not substantially in excessof that required for proper lubrication to prevent discharge of oil overthe top of the casing, said bolster member being provided below thelowermost of said enlarged casing engaging portions with restrictedopenings spaced from each other -to permit restricted areas ofcommunication at circumferentially spaced points between the spindlebearing and the outer surface of the bolster member.

3. In an independently lubricated spindle structure, a vertical spindlecasing provided with a longitudinal bore and having .an oil spoutprovided with a vertical inlet passage a portion of which is laterallypositioned with respect to and in open communication with a portion ofthe longitudinal bore of the spindle casing, a bolster member providedwith a central longitudinal bore forming a spindle bearing and havingspaced enlarged circular portions tting closely within the bore of saidcasing and a reduced circular 45 portion located between said enlargedcircular portions and oppositely positioned relative to the point ofcommunication of said inlet passage when the bolster member isoperatively positioned within the bore of said casing, each of saidspaced enlarged circular portions being provided With a narrow openingto permit a gradual and restricted flow of oil past said circularportions, said bolster member being provided with vertically spaced setsof circumferentially spaced openings below the lowermost of saidcircular portions, forming points of communication between the spindlebearing opening and the outer surface of said bolster member, theopenings of one set being staggered with respect to those of the otherset.

4. A spindle bearing for preventing discharge of oil therefrom throughlimiting the supply of oil to the spindle which comprises, a casingprovided with a longitudinal bore for receiving a bolster member locatedwithin the casing bore, a bolster member provided with a bore forming abearing for a spindle, a spindle rotatably mounted within the bore ofthe bolster member, a portion of the outer wall surface of said bolstermember being spaced from the inner surface of said casing to provide anoil reservoir between the bolster member and casing which is out ofdirect communication with the spindle bore, means in the casingproviding an oil supply source communicating with said reservoir, andspaced means located between said bolster member and the inner surfaceof the casing Wall above and below the said reservoir for permitting arestricted ow only of oil from said reservoir to that portion of thecasing located outwardly of said bolster member and below said oilreservoir for supply to said spindle bearing, the

several parts being so proportioned as to restrict the flow of oildownwardly from said reservoir to such an extent that the amount of oilcarried upwardly about the spindle within the bore of the bolster islimited to such a degree as to prevent accumulation of oil within thecasing above the uppermost spaced oil restricting means in quantitiessuiicient to overflow the casing.

RUDOLPH A. KOWALSKY.

